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A surprisingly large percentage of motorway fatalities are attributed to the driver nodding off at the wheel. How the hell do they know?
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People who fall asleep at the wheel tend not to take any avoiding action, like braking or emergency steering, hence a lack of skid marks etc could point to that.
H
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"how many accidents a year are caused by people nodding off."
They quoted 1 in 5 motorway accidents were caused by people nodding off.
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It is said that accidents involving driver asleep can be even more severe than drink driving ones. The drink driver can at the very least make an attempt at avoiding an obstacle whereas a dozing driver just rams it head on. The theory being that a glancing blow is less severe than a direct one.
How can you accurately tabulate the amount of sleep related accidents?. If the driver survives they most certainly wake up after impact and may not even realize they were asleep in the first place, and if they did, they may not want to admit it and accept blame. Possibly the source of many "it just came out of nowhere" type accidents. If the driver does not survive, is there any way to tell if a dead person was asleep at time of death?. Injury to eyelids could be the driver simply closing eyes in the face of impending collision. These would lead to those "driver lost control" accident conclusions.
Not proud of it, but I once started a 5 hour journey when I was feeling a bit tired and honestly did not remember some of the trip. It was a trip I had taken many times and I usually gauged my progress by the services/rest areas I passed. I was feeling really scared when I passed one service area near my destination and could not recall seeing a few of the others that came before it.
That shook me up so much that I was wide awake for hours after I reached my destination.
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This trance like state when you are tired is really dangerous. I have done it a few times myself in the past, best to be avoided.
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This trance like state when you are tired is really dangerous. I have done it a few times myself in the past, best to be avoided.
Seconded, out of bitter experience. New parents should also beware.
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i myself, have never had a sheep related acciedent, have missed a few on the moors, but they usually get out of the way.
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As the old saying goes...
I hope to die peacefully in my sleep like my Uncle.
Not shouting and screaming like Uncle's passengers
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Yep, I remember that one cracked me up the first time I saw it.
On a more sober note, this thread touched a nerve with me because of the experience I reported on this site a couple of years (!) ago - gave me a mental kick up the rear end I have never forgotten.
www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?t=9711&v...f
--
andymc
Vroom, vroom - mmm, doughnuts ...
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People who fall asleep at the wheel tend not to take any avoiding action, like braking or emergency steering, hence a lack of skid marks
I bet there's some, but not necessarily on the road ;/
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This thread reminds me of an experience of mine which still serves to remind me of the dangers of driving when tired.
A few years ago I was driving home from Birmingham to Warrington on the M6 after a long, tedious day. After a while I realised I was tired and becoming drowsy, so I pulled off at the next services for drink and a breather. After parking, I decided to take a nap so reclined the seat and closed my eyes. Approx 15 mins later I awoke suddenly and had forgotten where I was - I came bolt upright, gripped the wheel with both hands, brake and clutch pedals both depressed, eyes staring - I thought the car was still moving and I was asleep at the wheel. After a couple of moments I realised all was still and safe. I don't think I have ever been more afraid in perfect safety in my life. I got out and walked around for a bit to settle my nerves before continuing the journey. Power-napping? That's one way to describe it.
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